That's what Robert Altenkirch, new president at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, said in response to a question today while speaker to the Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville.

UAH and the University of Colorado were the finalists for the NSO directorate headquarters, which included an annual payroll of $20 million and untold value in prestige.

The New Jersey Institute of Technology, where Altenkirch was president before coming to UAH, was a partner with the University of Colorado on its proposal.

Altenkirch said he had read a report on the site decision from William S. Smith, president of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). That organization holds the contract with the National Science Foundation to manage various telescope facilities.

"I can tell you some of the reasons that Colorado was selected," Altenkirch said. "Location, closeness to Hawaii, where they are building a large telescope. Smith argued that the board of AURA felt that Colorado had a better chance of getting (doctorate)-level students to participate.

The construction of 4-meter Advanced Technology Solar Telescope,
described by the NSO as a "major initiative", is planned for the Hawaii
island of Maui.

"There was also some concern about staff members about where they would want to locate (the sites in Arizona and New Mexico are being united in Colorado). It was more along the practical side than it had to do with the expertise or the people there."